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Alice saw little of her husband the nextin bed By the time she had bathed and had her own meal, Edmund had disappeared to deal with the nu absence
Left to her own devices, Alice explored the house During her betrothal it hadn’t crossed her ed to amass substantial personal wealth Now, her curiosity about its origins grew
“How came your family to have this estate?” She asked Edmund when they met briefly at luncheon
“My ancestors, the Sey the reign of the first King George using incorandfather inherited the estate after another died childless I ae” The conversation ended abruptly with Ed summoned away
Returning to her explorations, Alice s and drapes Itroos, but little furniture She guessed it served as a ball room and it initiated an idea, one she was keen to discuss with Edmund
Her wandering ended when the housekeeper pinned her down in theroom and Alice discovered her responsibilities as mistress of the house
“Do you wish to have venison or game for dinner?” asked the housekeeper Alice bit her lip and shrugged What did it matter? Meat was meat
“The drapes in the dining room have been ruined by moths Do you wish to oversee the replace domestic state all the enquiries, requiring the patient housekeeper to repeat her questions until Alice could think of satisfactory answers
Once left alone again, Alice reflected on the e to her life No ossip with over coffee and cakes Alice felt lonely insense of melancholy She had hoped to share her idea with her husband over the luncheon, but Ed his wife abreast with the changes he had planned for the wider estate She had drifted off when hemore land for the farmers
Edested a late afternoon walk in the gardens and beyond She perked up, seeing the sun peep out froladly accoan at the rear of the house in the ornate forarden with its fountains and rose bushes The latter had yet to break out into bloom, as summer hadn’t arrived
Strolling along a tree lined terrace, her arm looped about Edmund’s, Alice decided she had his full attention and quickly outlined her plan “I wish to be acquainted with the local gentry I do not know Buxton well and I want to have a ball and invite everyone Lots of dancing and music” His arm stiffened
His profile had reed as she spoke and there was no smile of approval, instead his expression hardened
“No, Alice,” he said fir”
Alice stopped in her tracks She hadn’t expect a categorical refusal Ed the terrace and a wooden door in a portal Opening it, the rusty hinges creaked and he waved her through On the other side was a walled garden, secluded and rectangular Soent sweet smell Alice inhaled the scent
“I have collected ardener is pleased with the cultivations and variety,” re the door behind Alice